Gunnison Country Outfitters offers you a variety of horseback riding and horse packing vacation options. You get to choose the type of trip that you want to have whether that be a short morning or evening ride, a full day ride with a relaxing lunch with a view, or a true wilderness adventure that could last for as many days as you would like! We will design our routes based on your particular expectations, be that wildlife viewing, photography, sightseeing, or just leaving the noise behind and having a quiet, relaxing time in the wild.
You do not have to be an experienced horseman to enjoy these rides, and over the years we have taken hundreds of people on their first horseback ride. We have also put the most experienced of riders on a horse they were absolutely pleased to ride. Your comfort and safety is always our number one priority. An effort will be made to adjust the length of your ride to your ability with regular rest stops to stretch legs, take pictures, and enjoy other activities. These are pleasure rides, but make no mistake about it you will be treated to a genuine wilderness experience. Our horses and mules are strong, powerful, and experienced mounts accustomed to mountain trails. You will find them to be well trained, well conditioned, people friendly, and gentle. Our guides are courteous, helpful, highly skilled, and a lot of fun to be around. You will be treated the way that we would like to be treated and we are proud to say we have made great friends out of our customers.
Full Day Ride:
These trips consist of 8 hours of riding into some of the most scenic places that Gunnison has to offer. We will make stops to make sure we get plenty of pictures and we typically see plenty of wildlife on these trips. These trips will be provided with a sack lunch where we will stop and relax on the side of the trail under the shade of a tall pine tree. Minimum of two people.
Half Day Ride:
These are the same as the full day rides but the routes we take are shorter in duration and a lunch is not included. These are roughly around 4 hours of riding and will get you away from the crowds and the noise for a portion of your day. These can either be evening or morning rides. Minimum of two people.
Overnight Pack Trips:
These are trips for the people truly looking for a real wilderness experience. We will start with a horseback ride into the wilderness where we will have a comfortable camp set up and ready for our arrival. All the meals are provided and you will receive a hot dinner and hot breakfast, and a sack lunch every day during your stay. While we are in the wilderness there is a number of things that you can choose to do, whether we hike to a 13,000 foot peak or saddle the horses and go for a ride along the high ridges. If you are just looking to relax, maybe read a book, stretch out in the sun next to one of many alpine lakes that are scattered across the wilderness and listen to the natural sounds and become immersed in the wilderness. A maximum of 40 pound of equipment per person may be packed.
Drop camps
We offer a variety of options of drop camp opportunities for those who want to spend time in the wilderness by themselves by themselves without the guide but don’t want the burden of having to carry their gear or endure the 5-12 mile hikes up at very high elevations. Whether that be a regular drop camp where we pack in you and your camping equipment, you stay for as long as you like and then we pack you and your gear out on a predetermined day or a one way drop camp where we will pack you and your gear in to a location of your choice and when you are ready to come out you hike out with your gear on your back. These are great trips for the individuals that are backcountry savvy and are self reliant and want some quality time with themselves and their friends and family.
Regular Drop Camp:
This is a trip where you choose where you want to be dropped off at and you provide your all your own equipment. We can take you anywhere within our permitted area and leave you there for as long as you would like and come pick you up at a predetermined time. Minimum of a 2 night stay and 2 people.
One Way Drop Camp:
We will pack you and your gear in and you hike out at the end of your trip whenever you are ready to come out. Typically the hike out is all downhill and your pack is much lighter after eating all the food you have packed in. Minimum of 2 people.
Rates: Call For Availability
- Full day ride 8 Hours – Minimum of 2 people (includes sack lunch)
- Half Day ride 4 Hours – Minimum of 2 People
- Overnight Trips – Minimum of 2 people
- Regular Drop Camp – (maximum of 100 pounds per pack horse)
- One Way Drop Camp – (maximum of 100 pounds per pack horse)
- Private parties – require a minimum of 4 riders
- Special rates for large parties and corporate events are available, call us to ask what options we offer.
All trip dates are set on a first come/first served basis Call, write or email to determine what dates are available. A deposit of 50% of the total trip cost will confirm your reservation on pack trip packages. A deposit of 50% of the total cost of your trip is required for trail rides and drop camps. Deposits will be refunded on a case by case basis, and the earlier the notification of cancelation the better. However, you may transfer your deposit to an alternate person you find to take your place. Contact us early, our summer dates fill fast. All riders must sign a liability release form prior to your trip.
We can put together other services and outings besides those listed here. If you have a need or outdoor experience in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us for a quote. We do not lease horses and all activities using our livestock must be accompanied by our personnel.
